Five Things to Know in Florida for Feb. 17

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that key provisions of a 2011 law that restricted such speech violate the First Amendment. Three-judge panels of the same court had issued conflicting rulings in a long-running challenge to the law brought by 11,000 medical providers and others. The case has become known as Docs vs. Glocks.

FLORIDA ABORTION WAITING PERIOD LAW TEMPORARILY BLOCKED

The Florida Supreme Court issued its ruling Thursday, leaving in place its order from 10 months ago. The court said there’s a strong likelihood that a lower court will determine the law is unconstitutional and the state provided no evidence that the law addresses a compelling state interest.

TROUBLED FLORIDA SCHOOL DISTRICT TO USE CHARTER SCHOOLS

The State Board of Education on Thursday voted to approve a turnaround plan for Jefferson County schools that calls for turning over day-to-day operations to a charter school management company in the fall of 2017. Jefferson County schools have struggled with declining enrollment, budget troubles and students being held back. State officials have demanded plans to address its problems.

WOMAN ACCUSED OF PERFORMING SEX ACT IN COURTHOUSE ARRESTED

Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office records show Brittney Lahcell Jones was arrested Wednesday. Jones and 35-year-old Jeremiah Isiah Robinson had been wanted on a charge of a lascivious act. A video surfaced online in January showing a woman performing oral sex on a man in front of what appeared to be a courtroom. The newspaper reported Jones was being arraigned on a drug charge at the time in the Duval County Courthouse.

FLORIDA HOUSE PANEL VOTES TO WITHDRAW FROM REFUGEE PROGRAM

A House panel voted Thursday along party lines in favor of the measure sponsored by Rep. David Santiago, a Republican from Deltona. The legislation wouldn’t prevent refugees from coming to Florida. But Santiago says he’s pushing the bill amid concerns federal authorities aren’t sharing enough information about the refugees coming into the state.